During the latest Behind The Sims showcase, EA and Maxis revealed more about the way forward for The Sims franchise, including The Sims 5 / Project Rene, and the previously-announced ‘Infants’ update for The Sims 4. A brand new game patch was also detailed, with new, inclusive features arriving hanging around shortly.
Here’s everything announced during Behind The Sims: Episode One in February 2023.
Project Rene (The Sims 5) will have multiplayer
The first playtests for Project Rene, also known as The Sims 5, have taken place – and while most of the details shared are most likely under embargo, EA and Maxis are actually talking much more about the game.
According to developers, the playtests focussed largely on furniture customisation. Rene will allow players to manage patterns, colours, materials, parts, shapes, and sizes of furniture, unlike in past Sims games. There will also be free rotation and movement of objects, permitting unique placements, and much more creative setups.
In a blog post, it was also confirmed that there is a ‘social play’ aspect to the experience:
‘Players can design a condo together, opening new ways to play, tell stories, and make dream creations,’ EA and Maxis confirmed. ‘Project Rene is really a spot for you to explore life with The Sims as well as share a wide variety of experiences with trusted friends, if you would like, when you want.’
While information on this multiplayer mode, and whether it will extend to regular Sims gameplay beyond room customisation, are not confirmed, these details are extremely exciting. The Sims has not had a true multiplayer mode since The Sims Online launched in 2002.
We welcome new updates as Project Rene expands.
The Sims 4: Infants arrive on 14 March
During the latest Behind The Sims showcase, the long-awaited Infants update was finally dated – it'll launch for PC and consoles on 14 March 2023.
‘Yes, yes, we're finally freeing the baby,’ EA and Maxis announced. ‘The team has been reimagining The Sims that players know and love with much more methods to play, bringing a new life stage, Infants, to Simmers on March 14.’
This update allows Sims to have interaction using their baby properly, dressing them up, customising them, teaching them additional skills, and having fun with them. The feature has been long-requested by fans, and can give a new dimension to raising a family hanging around.
At this stage, it seems Infants is going to be a part of a totally free base game update for everybody.
The Infants announcement was accompanied by a tease for the arrival of a new family, referred to as The Michaelsons. It appears they will be part of a new, yet-to-be-revealed expansion (rumoured to be a new version of Generations) – although we’ll find out more about these characters on 2 February 2023.
The Sims Mobile and also the Sims Freeplay get new updates
Briefly, EA and Maxis also shared new content updates coming to The Sims Mobile and The Sims Freeplay. Both games will get new events and rewards over the next month – together with a Treasure hunts for The Sims Mobile (featuring new anniversary-themed items).
The Sims Freeplay will also get new in-game music tracks, along with a third area will be added to the Sims Springs desert map in April 2023.
The Sims 4: Inclusive CAS content obtainable in new update
Following the most recent Behind The Sims showcase, EA and Maxis announced a fresh base game update for The Sims 4 – which one includes a selection of great features.
For something, it'll include Light Switches, and permit players to customize UI placement and cursor sizing on consoles, in addition to add in console build mode improvements. More importantly, it will likewise give a range of inclusive Create-A-Sim features to higher represent all players.
After downloading the brand new update, Sims 4 players can equip a variety of medical wearables, including glucose monitors and hearing aids. They’ll likewise be able to position a Top Surgery Scar on transgender Sims, or equip Binders and Shapewear.
You can see more about these additions around the latest Sims 4 blog post.
For all of the latest news about Project Rene / The Sims 5, The Sims 4, and The Sims mobile games, browse the news roundup from Behind The Sims: Episode 1 here.
